Chipotle's Latest Marketing Tactic Is Genius

Just when I thought management at Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) couldn't get any smarter with their marketing tactics, the company announced a partnership with Major League Soccer. This latest move highlights Chipotle's direct focus on helping consumers live healthier lifestyles and should allow the company to further strengthen its already formidable reputation as the leading healthy alternative in the fast-casual dining segment.

Chipotle is one of several high-growth companies that continue to benefit from consumers' willingness to live active and healthier lifestyles. In addition to natural grocer Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM) and apparel company Under Armour (NYSE: UA) , Chipotle is a great way to capitalize on this seemingly unstoppable global trend.

Source: Chipotle Website

Burritos and soccer?Chipotle has become the "official" fast-casual Mexican restaurant of the soccer league and a dozen clubs.

The sponsorship is the largest ever between Chipotle and a single sport, and will feature teams and individual players from around the league.

Mark Crumpacker, chief marketing and development officer at Chipotle, explained: "At the core of our effort to change the way people think about and eat fast food is our commitment to finding better, more sustainable sources for all of the ingredients we use."

But how exactly do burritos tie in with soccer? Crumpacker further explained: "That value is one that is often shared by people with an active lifestyle. This partnership with MLS will allow us to further engage consumers in a sport we have long supported through grassroots efforts."

In addition to hosting the inaugural Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game in August, as an added incentive Chipotle will feature a boy or girl as its Chipotle Youth Homegrown Athlete during 10 home games of each sponsored MLS club.

By focusing on the American market for soccer, Chipotle and MLS will be able to reach millions of youth soccer fans with the combined promotional strategy. One of the main goals is to impress upon the country's youth that living a healthy lifestyle is beneficial as well as fun.

Trending in the right directionAs was mentioned before, there has been a concerted effort by select companies in America to cater directly to health-conscious consumers. Well-managed companies like Chipotle, Whole Foods Market, and Under Armour have benefited tremendously by getting off to a fast and early start in capturing domestic consumers looking to lead more active and healthy lives.

Although each company provides different products and services, the target consumer base that each company reaches is largely the same. Chipotle offers fast-casual dining with a focus on providing high-quality, locally raised ingredients to consumers on the go. Whole Foods Market offers a wide variety of natural and organic foods to consumers looking to stock their fridges with healthy alternatives. Finally, Under Armour outfits many of the people who are looking to stay or become more active in their daily lives with performance-enhancing apparel, footwear, and accessories.

Although quite different businesses, the objectives of all three companies are largely the same: capture more health-conscious consumers and demand a premium for the above-average products/services provided. All three companies have been able to do this in the past and look set to continue doing so in the future. The following is a breakdown of all three companies' projected growth rates going forward:

Company

Revenue Growth 2014

EPS Growth 2014

Chipotle Mexican Grill

18%

23.3%

Under Armour

23.7%

23.3%

Whole Foods Market

13.9%

18.5%

*Whole Foods Market fiscal year ends September

Bottom lineThe consumer trend toward living a more active and healthy lifestyle is real and shows no signs of stopping any time soon. Chipotle, Whole Foods Market, and Under Armour have each done well to capitalize on the massive movement thus far and should be able to continue doing so with some of the best and accomplished management teams at their respective helms.

Chipotle's latest partnership with MLS shows just how clever and unique the company's marketing team really is. As the company targets more youth going forward, which should no doubt add to its long-term consumer base in the process, Chipotle and investors should benefit alongside consumers in general.

Bonus: The ultimate growth stocks are here!While Chipotle, Under Armour and Whole Foods Market are superb growth stocks. Are they ultimate? They said it couldn't be done. But David Gardner has proved them wrong time, and time, and time again with stock returns like 926%, 2,239%, and 4,371%. In fact, just recently one of his favorite stocks became a 100-bagger. And he's ready to do it again. You can uncover his scientific approach to crushing the market and his carefully chosen six picks for ultimate growth instantly, because he's making this premium report free for you today. Click here now for access.

John Mackey, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Philip Saglimbeni owns shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill and Under Armour. The Motley Fool recommends Chipotle Mexican Grill, Under Armour, and Whole Foods Market. The Motley Fool owns shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Under Armour, and Whole Foods Market. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Comments from our Foolish Readers

Help us keep this a respectfully Foolish area! This is a place for our readers to discuss, debate, and learn more about the Foolish investing topic you read about above. Help us keep it clean and safe. If you believe a comment is abusive or otherwise violates our Fool's Rules, please report it via the Report this Comment icon found on every comment.